Norman

Alternative forms

• bieau (Jersey)

Adjective

biau m

1. (Guernsey) beautiful

Old French

Alternative forms

• beal (uncommon)
• beau
• bel

Etymology

From Latin bellus.

Adjective

biau m ‎(oblique and nominative feminine singular bele)

1. graceful, elegant, courteous
2. noble
3. (as a term of address) good, as in, my good sir, my good lady
   • late 12th century, Aucassin et Nicolette, page 6 of the Mario Roques edition

     Biax sire, fait li quens, car laisciés ester. Nicolete est une caitive que j’amenai d’estrange tere

     Good sir, said the count, let her be. Nicolette is a captive that I've brought here from a foreign land

4. handsome; beautiful

Related terms

• belement
• biauté

Declension

Descendants

• French: beau
  • English: beau (borrowed)
• Norman: biau, bieau
• Picard: biau

Picard

Etymology

From Old French biau < Latin bellus.

Adjective

biau m

1. handsome; beautiful